Based on recent results and world rankings, Australia and India are the other heavyweights.
The former’s record speaks for itself, and while the latter are still seeking a first global title, they are rapidly improving.
India’s frustration at recent World Cups has been similar to England’s – promising group-stage efforts followed by a stumble at the last hurdle.
They almost beat Australia in the 2023 semi-final only for captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s bat getting stuck in the ground and causing her run out, but the seismic change since that tournament has been the introduction of the Women’s Premier League.
A recent shock saw Sri Lanka beat them to win the Asia Cup, but the emergence of young players like off-spinner Shreyanka Patil, the form of Deepti Sharma and world class talent in Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana makes them a force to be reckoned with, but their ability to finish innings strongly with the bat is still a question.
“It’s a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ India win a World Cup,” said Hartley.
“They are hit and miss, but they are gaining in strength and depth from the WPL now.”
As for Australia, there have been some glimpses of their star quality fading somewhat in recent months, starting with T20 and ODI defeats by England in the Ashes and one-off defeats to India, West Indies and South Africa.
Their batting run-rate has dropped slightly in the middle overs (7-15) and death overs (16-20) compared to the previous World Cup cycle – while they are conceding more runs in every phase when bowling.
But write them off at your peril, as Katherine Sciver-Brunt warns: “If anything, losing makes them more dangerous because they will know other teams are after them, and that will get them fired up.”
They are without retired superstar captain Meg Lanning, who led them to glory in 2023, but they are a side awash with world greats: Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Ash Gardner and Megan Schutt to name a few, with young guns Annabel Sutherland and Phoebe Litchfield providing the excitement.
The conditions in the UAE could also level the playing field, with it being a neutral venue and just seven women’s matches being played at Sharjah (zero at Dubai) and none since 2017.